Japanese stallion making a Real Impact

Australian Group 1 winner Real Impact is taking a break from the southern shuttle run this year, but his first-crop Japanese 2YOs are making sure he stays on Australia’s radar.

He opened his account modestly, when the filly Honey Rin won her May debut at Monbetsu, on the secondary NAR racing circuit.

Then In the Movie, his first runner on the main Japan Racing Association (JRA) circuit finished 2nd at Tokyo on 8 June.

Eight days later Silk Racing’s colt Try For Real (ex Empress Tiara by Kurofune) went one better, winning a 1400m Newcomer Race at Tokyo.

He was followed on 22 June by another Silk Racing juvenile, Lauda Sion (ex Antiphona by Unbridled Song’s son Songandaprayer) who scored by 1.5 lengths over 1200 metres at Hanshin.

A day later on Sunday 23 June, another debutant Real Impact 2YO Close To Me (ex Machikanechikoyore by Deputy Minister) was 3rd over 1600 metres on Takarazuka Kinen G1 day at Tokyo.

It’s early in Japan’s 2YO racing season, but nevertheless encouraging to see Real Impact with 3 winners from 10 runners and joining two other Deep Impact sons, Kizuna and World Ace, to fill the top 3 spots on the First Season Sires’ list.

That augurs well for the Deep Impact sons on Arrowfield’s 2019 roster, Champion Sprinter Miler Mikki Isle (first yearlings sell in 2020) and Dubai Turf G1 winner Real Steel (standing his first season this Spring).

Real Impact’s first Australian yearlings sold for up to $240,000 this season and their trainers include Snowden Racing, Bjorn Baker, Clarry Conners, Paul Perry, Matthew Smith, Matt Cumani & Joe Pride.

Earlier this month, a second-crop weanling colt by Real Impact from Global Good (by Redoute’s Choice from the family of Preakness S. G1 winner War Of Will) ) was purchased by Supreme Thoroughbreds for $85,000 from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Great South Sale.